[From Latin (Pontus) Euxīnus, the Black Sea (since the deeper waters of the Black Sea constitute such an environment), from Greek (Pontos) Euxeinos, literally, hospitable (sea), perhaps a euphemism for earlier (Pontos) Axeinos, inhospitable (sea) (a-, not + xenos, xeinos, guest, stranger; see XENO-), perhaps a folk etymology of a name of Scythian origin; akin to Avestan axšaēna-, dark-colored, blue.]